Magnetically actuated milk metering device



Sept. 23, 1952 w. H. HARSTICK ETAL 2,611,269

Y MAGNETICALLY ACTUATED MILK METERING DEVICE Filed D80. 22, 1949 V [mp /Aye Calm/er IO \57 PM 42 M FIG3.

INVENTORS WI LLJAM' H. HARSTICK PM 6. M

A'ILT'Y HAROLD WLHEIN Patented Sept. 23, 1952 MAGNETICALLY ACTUATED MILK METERING DEVICE William H. Harstick, Oak Park, and Harold W. Hein, Chicago, Ill., assignors to International Harvester Company, a. corporation of New Jersey Application December 22, 1949, Serial No. 134,494

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates'to a liquid metering device'and more particularly to an electromagnetically operated metering device for automatically measuring milk flow in a pipe line milker system. I

The primary objective of the present invention is to'provide a device which is placed in a piping system such as a pipe line milker system to automatically measure with accuracy the volume of liquid flowing through the system.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic metering device for liquids which requires no supervision and in which the measuring steps take place between an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. 7

A still further object is the provision of an automatic liquid metering device wherein a plurality of slidable measuring chambers are alternatively filled with a predetermined volume of liquid and drained.

Another object is the provision of electromagnetic means for effecting communicationof each measuring chamber with the outlet pipe when a predetermined volume of liquid is received in the measuring chamber.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic measuring device of simple construction, reliable operation and rugged structure.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable features inherent in and encompassed by the invention together with many of the purposes and uses thereof will become readily apparent from a, reading of the ensuing description in conjunction with the annexed drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is across sectional view of the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a partially sectional view of the inven-' tion taken substantially along line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram of the electric circuit means for energizing the electromagnets. Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters designate like elements throughout the various views, there is shown a liquid metering device I0. The liquid metering device is interposed between an inlet pipe I I, which may be a portion of the pipe line leading from the cows or other domestic animals in a pipe line milker system, and an outlet pipe I2. The inlet pipe II is suitably attached to the casing I3 of the liquid metering device Ill along the inner marginal edges I4 of a pair of upwardly inclined converging top walls I5. Rigidly secured to or formed integrally with the top walls I5-are a pair of vertically extending transversely spaced side walls I6 and'a pair of longitudinally spaced end walls IT. The lower portion"! ofeach side wall I6 and end wall I! has an L-shaped'cross section adapted to partially embrace a rectangular gasket member I9.

Positioned beneath the casing I3 approximate 1y midway between the side walls I6 is a longitu-.

dinally 7 extending outlet pipe I2. Secured to or formed integrally with outlet pipe I2 is a throat section 20 for directing liquid from the casing to the-outlet pipe I2. The throat sec tion 20 is attached to the gasket member I9 by means of a vertically extending flange 2| and a horizontally extending flange 2'2 which'partially encompass the gasket member. It islto 'be understood that the flanges l8 and 22 are clamped together compressing I the gasket member I9 therebetween andsecuring the throat section 20 to the casing I3 -by means of bolts (not shown) or other suitable fastening means. i The casing I3 is provided with-a-flat'bottom wall 23 rigidly-held in place by the vertically extending flange 2| encircling its periphery and is supported by 'ahorizontally extending portion 24 of the throat section 20. It will be noted that the bottom wall 23 isprovided with longitudinal-i 1y spaced, vertically extending flanges 25, the purpose of which will be'explained hereinafter:

Extending vertically through bottom wall 23.31%}

a pair of transversely spaced apertures --2Ii:to form outlet ports or passageways fl whereby communication between the interior of the cas-. ing I3 and the outlet pipe I2 may be established.

Supported on the bottom wall 23 for transverse horizontal sliding movement is a hollow measuring member 28. The hollow measuring member 28 comprises a pair of spaced side walls 29 and a pair of spaced end walls 30 joined together to form a substantially rectangularly shaped. member open at opposite ends. The measuring member 28 is guided in its transverse sliding:

movement yby'the above mentioned fiang'es' 25; Secured between the end walls 30 is a vertically disposed portion 3| which divides-the measuring member 28 into a pair of adjacent measuring chambers 32 and 33 which have substantially the same volumetric capacity. 1 j I S Supported on each side walljlfi i's an eleotro j magnet 34, i 35. f Each electro-magnet 'when- 'ene'rgized'is adapted to magnetically' attractfa softiron core element3'6; 3i,v one of which is'fast'en'ed to each side wall It will be appreciated' thatf when electro-magnet 34 is energized mor ue:

of electro-magnet 34, communication is established between the interior of measuring chamber 32 and the outlet pipe l2 through one of the outlet ports 21. Conversely, chamber 33 is placed in communication with the outletpipe -12 through the other outlet port 21 when electro-magnet .35

is energized. Hence, it will be seen that 'movement of the measuring member 28 transversely to the right or left by energizing either electromagnet 34 or 35 will cause one of the measuring chambers but not both at the same time to-communicate with one of the outlet ports 21.

Inasmuch as the inlet pipe 1|, which has an inlet port .36 formed therein ,for directing liquid vertically downwardly to the bottom wall 23, lies in .a vertical plane spaced substantially midway betweenthe side walls -I 6 of the casing 13 and the vertically disposed partition 3| moves transversely from one side to the tether-of the vertical plane when the measuring member 28 is actuated by the electro-magnets as described above,

themeasuring chambers 'will be 'alternativelyca pable of receiving .liquid from the inlet pipe. When one of the measuring chambers is ,in the liquid receiving position, it =is not in communication with an outlet port and conversely when a measuring chamber is .in communication with an outlet port, it .is no longer capable of receivingliquidfrom-the inlet port.

.In order to energize the electro magnets 34 and 35 electric circuit means are provided which includes .an electrical conductor 36 leading from one side -'of a source of electrical energy :to electro-magnet 34 and then .to an impulse counter 5:1. "The impulse counter 51 is shown-diagrammatically sinceit may beof conventional design known to those familiar with 'theart. Theimpulse counter 51 records the number OfElBimGS- the electrical circuit :in which it is placed -is energized. Leading from the impulse counter 51 .is a conductor 38 which has one end attached to-a contact post 3.8. The contact post:39'is suitably 'supported inone of "the top walls :l5 and has a portion '40 adapted to extend vertically within the interior of the measuring chamber .32. Electrio-magnet 35 .is connected to the source of electrical energy by way of conductor 4'' which has one end connected to the impulse counter .51. A conductor 42 leads from the impulse counter-5.! to a second contact post '43 similar in construction to contact post 39. Itwill be noted that the vertical distance "from the lowermost tip :44, 45 of each contact post to the'bottom wall 23 -is the same and is maintained constant throughout the operation-of the device. The other side 450i the source of electrical energy is attached to the measuring member -28 by any suitable means. Henceit is necessary to conduct electrical energy from the tips :44 and -45 to the measuring .member 2-8 inorder to complete the electric circuit means and energize the 'electro-magnets. The

electric contact means is completed for electroi magnet 34 by filling measuring-chamber 32 with liquid untilthe surface of the liquid makes physical contact with the tip 44 whereupon electrical energy-sis conducted fromthe tip to the measuring member-28 through the liquid. Electra-magnet 35 is energized in exactly the same manner except that measuring chamber 33 must be filled with a sufiicient volume of liquid to make contact with the tip 45. Inasmuch as the tips 44 and 45 are positioned a predetermined vertical distance from the bottom wall 23 and the measuring chambers 32 and 33 have-substantially the same dimensions it will be appreciated that both meas- -\uring chambers must receive the same predetermined volume of liquid before the electro-magnets associated with the measuring chambers will beenergized.

.Assuming themeasuring member 28 to be in the position shown in Fig. 1, the operation of the liquid meter is as follows. Measuring chamber 32 will receive the initial flow of liquid from the inlet pipe ll. Both electro-magnets 34 and 35 are deenergized at the start of the operation since theliquid level in either chamber has not attained the height necessary to complete the electric circuit means associated with the electromagnets .for energizing one of the eleotro-magnets. The measuring chamber 32 will continue to receive liquid until the liquid level reaches the tip 44, whereupon the electric circuit means is completed and electro-magnet 34 is energized. The measuring member 28 is then magnetically actuated to the left as viewed-in Fig. 1 and communciationis established between the measuring chamber 32 and the outlet port 21. The impulse counter 51 records the fact that the electrical circuit in which it lies has been energized. Measuring chamber 33 then receives liquid from the inlet pipe ll while measuring chamber 32 is drained of the liquid contained therein. It ;..will be appreciated that the outlet ports 21 are large enough to allow complete draining of aimeasuring chamber before the adjacent measuring chamber is filled with the predetermined volume of liquid regardless of the rate of flow from the inlet port. When measuring chamber 33 receives the predetermined volume of liquid, that is, .when the level of the liquid reaches the tip 45, electromagnet- 35 willbe energizedcausing the measur-- ing member 28 to moveto its initialposition. The cyclic operation continues as long asliquid'flows fromthe inlet pipe ll The-number of timesthe electrical circuits for the electro-magnets are .-in condition for conducting electrical energy is tabulated by the impulse counter 51 and since the circuits are not complete until a predetermined volume of liquid has entered one of'the-measuring chambers, it will be apparent that the impulses recorded by the impulse counter 5-1 accurately represents the volume of flow :of liquid from the inlet pipe I I to the outlet pipe l2.-

The embodiment of the :invention chosen (or the purpose of illustration and description herein is that preferred for achieving the-objects of the invention and developing the utility thereof in the most desirable manner. It :will be appreciated, therefore, that the particular structural and functional aspects emphasized herein are not intended to exclude but rather to suggest ,such other adaptations and modifications of the-invention as fall within the spirit and scope-of .the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid meteringdevicecomprising a casing havingaliquid inlet port adjacent the topof said casingand a-flatbottom wall-provided with apair of transversely. spaced .outlet ports; -a hollow measuring member open at-opposite ends supported for transverse horizontal sliding movement on saidbottom wall, said member havinga vertically' disposedpartition therein to form apair of measuring chambers; said 'measuring chambers each being adapted to alternatively communicate with said inlet port and be filled with a'predetermined volume of liquid in on'e position and to slide to a second position wherein communication with said inlet port ceases and communication with one of said outlet ports is established to drain said measuring chamber; a'pair of core elements attached to opposite sides of said measuring member} electrically nergizable means-for moving measuring chambers to the other. position there'- of, said means includingv a pai of oppositely disposed electromagnetsfsupported on said: casing adapted to magnetically attract said core elesaid measuring member from oneposition of said ments attached to said measuring membery'electric'rcircuit means for each of said electromagnets,

each .Ofsaid electric circuit means being condiadapted to project into one of said measuring chambers; and indicating means for tabulating I the number of times said electric circuit means are conditioned for conducting electrical energy, said indicating means being electrically connected to said electric circuit means.

2. A liquid metering device comprising a casing having a liquid inlet port and a fiat bottom wall provided with a pair of spaced outlet ports; a hollow measuring member open at opposite ends supported for horizontal sliding movement on said 7 bottom wall, said measuring member having a pair of adjacent measuring chambers formed therein, said measuring chambers each being adapted to alternatively communicate with said inlet port and be filled with a predetermined volume of liquid in one position and to slide to a 1 second position wherein communication with said inlet port ceases and communication with one of said outlet ports is established to drain said measj.

uring chamber; a pair of core elements attached to opposite sides of said measuring member; electrically energizable means for moving said measuring member from one position of said measuring chambers to the other position thereof, said means including a pair of electromagnets supported on said casing adapted to magnetically attract said core elements attached to said meas- I uring member when energized; electric circuitv means for each of said electromagnets, each of said electric circuit means being conditionable incident to a predetermined volume of liquid in one Q of said measuring chambers for conducting electrical energy to one of said elec-tromagnets, each of said electric circuit means including a contact post supported by said casing adapted to project f.

into one of said measuring chambers and make physical contact with the liquid within the measuring chamber when the measuring chamber has been filled with a predetermined volume of liquid; j

and indicating means for tabulating the number Oil times said electric circuit means are conditioned for conducting electrical energy, said indicating means being electrically connected to said electric circuit means.

3. A liquid metering device comprising a casing having a liquid inlet port and a fiat bottom wall provided with a pair of spaced outlet ports; a hollow measuring member open at opposite ends supported for horizontal sliding movement on said ,3-

bottom wall, said measuring member having a" 6 pairof adjacent measuringchamber-s formed therein, 'said measuring chamber's' each being adapted to alternatively communicat with said inlet port and be filled with a predetermined vol"- ume of liquid in one position andto slide'to a sec-' 'ond position wherein communication with said inlet port'ceases and communication with oneof said outlet ports is established to drain said measuring chamber; a pair of electrically energizable means for moving said measuring member from one position of said measuring chambers to the other position thereof; electriccircuit means for each electrically energizable means conditionable incident to a predetermined volume of liquid in one of said measuring chambers for conducting electrical energy to one of said electrically energizablemejans; and indicating means'for tabulating the number of times said electric circuit means are conditioned for conducting electrical energy, said indicating means being electrically connected to said electric circuit means'.-

4. A liquid metering device comprising a casing havinga liquid inlet port and a fiat bottom wall provided with a pair of spaced outlet portsj-"ahollow measuring member open at opposite ends supported for horizontal sliding movement on said bottom wall, said measuring member having a pair of adjacent measuring chambers formed therein, said measuring chambers each being adapted to alternatively communicate with said inletport and be filled with a predeterminedvolume of liquid in one position and to slide to a'second position wherein communication with said inlet port ceases and communication with one" of saidoutlet ports is established to drain said meas uring chamber; a pair of electromagnets for moving said measuring member from one position of said measuring chambers to the other position thereof; electric circuit means for each electromagnet, each electric circuit means being conditionabl incident to a predetermined volume of liquid in one of said measuring chambers for conducting electrical energy to one of said electromagnets; and indicating means for tabulating the number of times said electric circuit means are conditioned for conducting electrical energy. said indicating means being electrically connected to said electric circuit means.

5. A liquid metering device comprising a liquidtight casing having a liquid inlet port and a fiat bottom wall provided with a pair of spaced outlet ports; a hollow measuring member enclosed within said casing open at opposite ends supported for horizontal sliding movement on said bottom wall, said measuring member having a pair of adjacent measuring chambers formed therein, said measuring chambers being adapted to altematively communicate with said inlet port and be filled with a predetermined volume of liquid in one position and to slide to a second position wherein communication with said inlet port ceases and communication with one of said outlet ports is established to drain said measuring chamber; actuating means for moving said measuring member from one position of said measuring chambers to the other position thereof; means responsive to a predetermined volume of liquid received in said measuring chambers in said one position for controlling said actuating means; and indicating means for tabulating the number of times said actuating means efiects movement of said measuring chambers, said indicating means being connected to said responsive means.

6. A liquid metering device as set forth in claim 5 in which said actuating means includes a pluamlity nfieelctromagnets ;.=and said means responsive :to ;a predetermined volume cf liquid received in :saidimea'suring -.chambers .in .saidone :position for controlling said -'actuating means includes electriccircuit means for-energizing said electromagne'cs, said electric :circuit :means comprising switch means adapted :to "conductrelectrical ener- 43? when a predetermined volume of liquid-is receivedinsaid measuring'chambers.

A liquid-metering devicecomprising a casing having a :liquid -inlet port and :a fiat bottom wall providedwith-agpluralitycf spaced outletports; a hollow measuring member .open at opposite ends supported for horizontal sliding movement on said bottom wall, said measuring member having 'a pl-urality-'of measuring chambers formed therein,-.zsaid.m easuring chambers each bein adapted to periodically communicate with said inlet port and be...filled'with a predetermined volume ofrliquid 11110118 position'and to slide *tora second-position wherein communication-with said inlet. port ceases and communication with one of .said outlet -porvts is established to drain saidlmeasin'ing chamber; clectromagnets for moving said measuring member from-one position of said measuringchambers -.to the other position thereof, :electric circuit means for 'each .clectromagnet, each electric circuit means .-being conditionable incidentto 'a predetermined volume of liquid in one of said measuring chambers for conducting eleccnerg-y to-one of said:electromagnets; and indicating means 'for tabulating-the number of timessaid electric circuit .means are conditioned for conducting electrical energy, said indicating means being electrically connected to said .electriccircuitmeans.

v8. Adiguidmeteringflevice comprising acasing 8 having a liquid inlet portend a bottom wall provided with anoutlet port; a hollow measuring chamber open at opposite ends supportedjor horizontal sliding :movement on said .bottom wall, said measuring chamber adapted to alternatively communicate with said inlet port and 'be filled with a predetermined volume of liquid in one position and to slide to a second position wherein communication with said inlet port ceases and communicationv with said outlet :port is established to drain said-measuring chamber; and an electromagnet forimoving said measuring :chamher. from said onezposition tosaid'second position; electric circuit means for saidelectromagnet, said electric circuit means being conditionable incident 'to a predetermined volume .of liquid in said measuring chamber for conducting electrical energy torsaidzelectronragnet; and indicating means for :tabula'ting'the number of timessaid "electric circuit means are conditioned for conducting electrical energy, said indicating means .being electrically connected to said electric circuit means.

' WILLIAMH.HARSTICK.

HAROLD W..HE1N.

, REFERENCES CITED The following "references are of record in the file of this patent: I I Y e UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,595,905 'McAfee May 2, 1950 

